Having spent the good years of childhood and adolescence in a country, one inevitably accumulates a rich tapestry of cherished memories, resonant laughter, exhilarating fun, and a fair share of tears and innocence—now held as invaluable treasures of a bygone yesterday.
For author Margaret Kapenga Shurdom, who meticulously captured the essence of Oman’s historical past in her book, this journey is nothing less than a triumphant homecoming, made possible by the gracious support of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism.
Under the esteemed auspices of the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, and with the unwavering support of Salim bin Mohammed al Mahrouqi, the Minister of Heritage and Tourism, along with the backing of the Oman Historical Association, the book entitled “Oman Zaman: Traces of the Past” was resoundingly unveiled at the National Museum in a recent event.
This masterfully crafted piece, presented in English, meticulously excavates the bygone era, offering profound insights into diverse facets of ancient life in the Sultanate of Oman and providing a vivid elucidation of the myriad dimensions of days long past.
The last 50 years were epochs of transformation. The late HM Sultan Qaboos, a visionary monarch, guided Oman from the shadows of isolation into the luminous dawn of modernity. The ancient whispers of the souqs harmonised with the construction symphony, as Muscat’s skyline began to reach for the heavens.
In 1948, the adventurous newlyweds Jay and Marjory Kapenga embarked on a transformative journey, arriving on the shores of Oman and Muscat aboard the British India boat ‘Barpeta.’ Their destination was the Arabian Mission of the Reformed Church of America (RCA), a commitment that unexpectedly shaped the next 35 years of their lives.
In those early days, life in Oman presented formidable challenges: meager infrastructure, scarce communication, the absence of banks, no air-conditioning, limited electricity, and no city water supply. Despite these hardships, Jay and Marjory embraced the difficulties with unwavering resilience. Shurdom, their child, fondly recollects their sentiments: “My parents always remembered life at that time as being difficult but good.”
During this era, Muscat and Muttrah stood as the primary coastal towns, while Nizwa dominated the interior as the central hub for commerce among many other towns. As the nation gradually opened up, thanks to the visionary leadership of the late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Kapenga family seized the opportunity to explore the interior. For eight years, they dedicated themselves to working with weavers in the once remote areas of Oman, contributing to the cultural and economic development of these regions.
In their formative years, her father diligently captured numerous photographs, while alongside her mother, they meticulously penned letters chronicling their daily experiences in Oman. These invaluable relics were then safeguarded by her grandparents and aunts. The curated compilation of these photographs, letters, and reminiscences maintains the authenticity of the original spellings, providing a vivid portrayal of life in Oman prior to 1970, during the reign of the late HM Sultan Qaboos.
Despite challenges such as the camera’s limitations and the harsh environmental conditions of heat and humidity, these snapshots offer a compelling glimpse into that era. Notably, some images may lack optimal quality, a consequence of both the camera’s specifications and the unpredictable incidents spurred by the elements.
A captivating anecdote underscores the lengths to which these visuals were obtained. Margaret vividly recalled an incident when her father accidentally plunged his camera into the sea during a transition from a ‘bourie’ to the ladder of a British India Line ship. The subsequent overhaul in Bombay (today’s Mumbai) incurred a charge of $25, yielding functional pictures, albeit with dissatisfaction regarding the focusing mechanism.
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